Dalkoli is one of the 4000 m peaks of the Kholeno Massif in the Central Alborz Mountains of northern Iran. It sits on the crest of a long ridgeline that gives rise to many other peaks. To the southeast, Dalkoli connects to the 4118 m Bandalkoli Peak and to the northwest it connects to the 3971 m Nosom Boyder Peak. To the south, the slopes of Dalkoli are steep scree fields that go down to the upper portions of the Velayat Rood River (3400 m). To the north, Dalkoli and Bandalkoli create large snow-filled alpine bowls that eventually drop to the bottom of the Varengeh Rood River Valley (3100 m).

(L) Bandalkoli 4118 m & (R) Dalkoli 4130 m

Summit

Dalkoli

A roundtrip hike to the summit of Dalkoli will probably take longer than one day. The shortest route is to start at the village of Laloon (2400 m) to the southeast and hike to the Varzab Pass (3910 m), Khers Chal summit (4253 m) and then follow the ridgetop to Bandalkoli (4118 m) and then Dalkoli. A southwesterly approach from the bottom of the Dizin ski slopes and the Velayat Rood River Valley is also possible. You will have the best views, however, if you approach Dalkoli from the north via the Varengeh Rood River Valley. You will start at the Varengeh Rood Village (2450 m) and then hike 21.5 Km (13.3 miles) along the length of the Varengeh Rood River to reach the Kholeno Lake (3830 m) where you will find a perfect spot to set up your base camp (The hike will take you past the remains of monstrously large winter avalanches and provide you with spectacular views of snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows). From your base camp, you will then be able to access many of the local peaks.

Dalkoli on the right. From Upper Varengeh Rood Valley

Route Information

This route starts at the summit of the Bandalkoli Peak. Click here to see the Route Page for Bandalkoli. From the summit of Bandalkoli head northwest and follow the ridgetop past a lower false summit down to a 4010 m saddle and then up to the summit of Dalkoli. The hiking distance per my GPS is 1.7 Km.

Views from the summit of Dalkoli

Kholeno

Narges

Koloon

Sehchal

Naz/Kahar

Azad

Sarakchal

Tochal

Sorkhab

A few pictures from Varengeh Rood River Valley

Getting There

Directions to Varengeh Rood Village:
From downtown Tehran drive the Tehran-Karaj Freeway 40 Km west to the town of Karaj and take the Chalus Road exit. Drive the Chalus Road up the mountains roughly 70 Km till the junction of the road that goes to Dizin Ski Area (2250 m). Turn onto this road and follow it a few Km till you see a side road on the left that goes to Varengeh Rood Village (2325 m). Turn onto this road and follow it a few Km till the end of it at the village (2450 m).

Directions for Laloon Village:
From northeastern Tehran, take the Babai expressway east and then take the Lashgarak expressway north up to Ghoochak Pass (1950 m). Follow the road north down the many switchbacks to the bottom of the Jajrood River Valley (1700 m). Drive 20 Km north to the main square in the village of Fasham (1950 m). Left (west) will take you to the ski resorts of Shemshak and Dizin. Turn right (east) and drive 7 Km to the village of Zaygan (2250 m) and then turn left (north) and drive a side road about 4 Km to the village of Laloon (2400 m).